ALAN BEAN We represent the entire collection of Alan Bean.
Call local 403-949-4141 or email us at [email protected] for more information.

The work of artist Alan Bean conveys the sense of space travel not only through subject
and color but also texture. The tools that once helped him explore the moon, now help
him put the moon’s stamp on many of his paintings. Prior to painting the image, Bean
covers the painting’s surface with a texturing material. He then uses exact replicas of
his Moon boots to make footprints across this surface that are just like all the Apollo
boot prints remaining on the moon today. Next he uses the same geology hammer
he worked with on the Apollo 12 mission to dig into the painting’s surface. Finally,
a sharp edged bit from one of the core tubes is used to make round indentations
in the surface.

“I guess every astronaut wanted to be the first man on the Moon. I know I did,”
says Alan Bean. “And if we couldn't be the first, we at least wanted to be one of the
first. Apollo 11’s crew got the opportunity to make the first attempt. Neil, Buzz
and Mike flew a perfect flight and went into the history books; but all 400,000
Americans that helped make Apollo a success are in that history, too.